The History of Christian Nationalism

Christian Nationalism: This is a term that many of our listeners have likely come across, as its use has become much more common in the news over the past couple of years, particularly as some politicians have begun to embrace the term as a core part of their personal and political identity. Christian Nationalism isn’t a new concept though, of course.

To understand its history, we’re very fortunate today to have with us two outstanding scholars of religion and religious history: Dr. Catherine Brekus and Dr. Mark Edwards. Dr. Brekus is the Charles Warren Professor of the History of Religion in America at Harvard University and a prolific author, whose books include Strangers and Pilgrims: Female Preaching in America, 1740-1845 and Sarah Osborn’s World: The Rise of Evangelicalism in Early America. She is currently working on a book about the relationship between American nationalism and Christianity.

Dr. Edwards is professor of US history and politics at Spring Arbor University in Michigan. He too is a prolific author. His books include The Right of the Protestant Left: God’s Totalitarianism, which offers a new view of Reinhold Niebuhr and Christian Realism, and Walter Lippmann: American Skeptic, American Pastor.